Next week, Milan will host the Grand Finale of the sixth S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition, where 15 rising culinary talents from around the world will compete for one of the most prestigious titles in gastronomy.
Backed by S.Pellegrino, the event brings together an elite Grand Jury of internationally acclaimed chefs. This year’s panel includes Christophe Bacquié of the two-Michelin-starred Le Table des Amis in France; Jeremy Chan, co-founder of London’s groundbreaking, two-star Ikoyi; Antonia Klugmann of L’Argine in Gorizia; Niki Nakayama of Los Angeles’s celebrated n/naka; Elena Reygadas of Rosetta in Mexico City; Julien Royer of Singapore’s three-Michelin-starred Odette; and Mitsuharu Tsumura of Maido in Lima—currently ranked the best restaurant in the world.
The competition marks the culmination of an intense two-year journey. Young chefs across 55 countries and 15 regions competed in multiple rounds to secure their place in Milan. Now, the finalists will prepare their signature dishes for the jury, aiming to demonstrate not only technical mastery but also creativity, vision, and the potential to influence the future of global cuisine.
This year’s theme, “Bring Your Future to the Table,” underscores S.Pellegrino’s mission of nurturing new culinary voices. Ahead of the finale, each young chef reconnects with their mentor to refine their dish and prepare to express their personal philosophy—highlighting how food can serve purpose, storytelling, and innovation.
The S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy continues to act as a global incubator for emerging talent, offering education, mentorship, and international visibility. As the final showdown approaches, all eyes are on Milan to discover who will rise as the next major force in modern gastronomy.
Stay tuned to Hypebeast for full coverage of the results. More details can be found on S.Pellegrino’s website and Instagram.
